Book Review: Forgive Me by Lesley Pearse


Forgive-Me-CoverTitle : Forgive Me

Author : Lesley Pearse
Publication date : 14 Feb 2013
Publisher : Penguin
Purchase eBook: KindleiBooks
Purchase paper book: AmazonWaterstones
Rating : 4 out of 5 LeeLee’s!

Cheltenham, 1991

When Eva Patterson returns home from work one day, a devastating scene awaits her. Her mother, Flora, lies dead in the bath. Beside her is a note saying only: ‘Forgive Me’.

Until then, Eva always believed her family’s life would be comfortable and secure – but Flora’s suicide changes everything. And when Eva discovers that in her will Flora left her an artist’s studio in London, she realises how little she knows about her mother’s past.

When Eva visits the now derelict studio, she is shocked to find out that her mother was once a successful artist back in the 1960s. A chance encounter leads her to Phil, who agrees to help her restore the studio, as well as offering her the advice and friendship Eva so badly needs.

In the studio attic she finds a collection of Flora’s paintings and old diaries, which Eva believes were purposely left for her to find. Searching for answers, Eva encounters a psychic who mysteriously warns her to beware of a ‘sleeping serpent’, which she soon discovers refers to a shocking crime in Flora’s past.

Will discovering the truth destroy Eva’s belief in everything she holds dear? And will Phil stand by Eva even when her journey leads her and those she loves into certain danger?

My Thoughts

I was reluctant to read this one, I don’t know why but it didn’t seem like something I would usually read. A book found in the fiction section of which I would usually associate with women older than myself, I’ve never read a Lesley Pearse novel before and didn’t know what to expect. Safe to say I have spent the last couple of days engrossed in it and didn’t want it to end. I’m sure my train to work went faster than usual while I was reading this one!

Eva is 20 years old when she finds the body of her mother Flora in the bath tub of their Cheltenham home, something that nobody should have to see. Her father Andrew blames Eva for his wife choosing to kill herself after she inherits a studio space in London from her mother, this sparks a lot of tension within the family during a time when they should be sticking together and grieving with her two younger siblings.
There is a lot Eva doesn’t know about her mother, she never knew she was a successful artist before becoming a mother or that she ever lived in the London studio. After finding a few paintings and photographs in the studio Eva takes it upon herself to find out who her mother really was.

The book follows Eva on an incredible journey filled with mystery and more heart ache than any young woman could possibly handle. Anyone else would have curled up in bed and refused to resurface by now, but Eva keeps on going and digs up the many secrets of her mother’s past. Believe me when I say Flora didn’t have a boring life, far from it!

I really liked Eva and felt I could relate with her so much throughout this book as she goes through the notions of her grief. One of my favourite characters is Phill who helps Eva in her time of need and pretty much keeps her grounded.
Having your mum pass away when you’re only 20 is horrible; unless you’ve been through it yourself I’m not sure you could ever really imagine how hollow and lost it can make you feel. Eva isn’t the type of person to dwell too much over things before she moves onto the next. I found this a little strange as she never really dwells on the fact that her mum wasn’t there when she turned 21 or that she shall never see her marry or have children and these are things that prey on my mind a lot, these are milestones that every girl wants her mum to be there for. Eva doesn’t even have a dad for these life events as she finds herself and Andrew on very bad terms for many reasons. (no spoilers!)

Overall the story covers many serious issues in a realistic manner, following a vulnerable Eva from being a young girl who is a little scared and unsure of what she is doing to somebody who has found themselves and becomes a strong woman because of it.

The book is an easy relaxing read with some great moments of suspense for good measure. It’s captivating and had me waiting to see what would happen next for Eva.
This is certainly one to put on your to read list

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  • not Adam

    Hmm do you ever give bad reviews LeeLeeLoves???

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